Remove moss from the roof, terrace and balcony

All areas also require regular cleaning and removal of moss and algae.

Disturbing moss "patina" on the roof, terrace and balcony

Balcony and terrace can be an oasis of relaxation, but they also need a thorough cleaning from time to time. Especially after the winter months, it is important to remove the moss from the outdoor areas. When nature awakens, unwanted green often appears in the cracks in the floor covering. Due to the humidity that prevails in winter, moss and algae have accumulated there. The unwanted growth increases over the next three or four months. Some stones get an interesting patina from the moss covering, but others look really unsightly. In addition, the slippery stones can also pose a risk of accidents.

If you want to continue to use the freedom of movement on your terrace, you should clean paving stones and slabs. Moss and algae can be contained in advance. Compared to sandstone, granite is less prone to moss formation. In addition, a slope can be built in when laying the slabs, so the water does not accumulate and drains off faster.

treatment options

• chemicals
• home remedies
• scrape off
• scorching
• high pressure cleaner
• potassium permanganate
• iron sulfate

The moss removal in the stage of green deposits with a natural agent succeeds on all easily accessible surfaces, where a cleaning brush can also be used. Scraping away with steel blades and joint scrapers is also possible on balconies and terraces. The vegetation is scraped out with the roots. Green growth can be scrubbed away with a grout brush with metal bristles or hard plastic bristles. With such tools, the moss can also be removed from the narrow joints.

Procedure on easily accessible areas

To do this, dissolve soda (sodium carbonate) in hot water, the mixture is sprayed onto the affected area, the mixture is allowed to act briefly and is then brushed off. Incidentally, this is a pleasingly inexpensive solution, a kilogram of washing soda costs around one euro in the supermarket.

Depending on the surface, remove any remaining residue with a scraper or scrubber. In any case, greenish deposits should also be removed from any joints that may be present, so that it does not constantly re-seed. A narrow spatula or a narrow chisel the width of the joint is recommended as a tool for earth joints. A fine wire brush helps with mortar joints, and small gaps between terrace stones can be worked well with a narrow chisel.

Remove thicker moss from the terrace or balcony

To the Removal of thicker moss pads On the terrace and balcony, manual work is initially used. The moss coverings or moss cushions are scraped off the substrate with a scraper with a smooth edge, then swept up with a broom and disposed of. The moss can be disposed of in the organic waste, even if residues of the soda mixture are still stuck to it.

Remember not to put the removed moss in the compost, it would rot with it, but using the compost soil would also be a nice way to sow it back in your garden. This is not the case if your compost develops a hot rot, i.e. temperatures above 50 degrees. Then the seeds die.

To remove the residue, soda can be used again, which is then rinsed over with a damp cloth. Anything that can be wiped up with a wiping device is removed. Finally, it should be rinsed with water again.

Chemical club against moss

A wide range of chemicals is commercially available for removing the unwanted growth. However, this does not mean that the use of these funds is always permitted. Plant protection products and pesticides are prohibited on paved areas. They are poisonous and z. B. extremely harmful to fish. It is only permitted to use agents that are expressly approved for plate cleaning. Green growth removers are generally classified as environmentally harmful. Iron sulphate destroys moss on the lawn, but is not suitable for paving on balconies and terraces.

In hard-to-reach places, more professional help Moss and algae remover, which is sprayed on or applied with a lance. It allows the moss to die off, which can then be vacuumed up with a building vacuum cleaner or swept up with a broom. However, the moss may take time to die off, please don't be impatient.

If moss remains, a second treatment is necessary. You will receive detailed information in your garden center, if you cannot reach the area safely, there is also professional help to remove moss on the roof.

Proven home remedies for removing moss

 If you want to be considerate of the environment, you can use well-tried home remedies:

• Vinegar and citric acid help with slight greening, but the effect does not last long.
• iron sulfate is often used to combat moss on the lawn, but is not suitable for tiles, stones and slabs.
• The most environmentally friendly methods are still brooms, brushes and scrubbers.
• Warm water with washing-up liquid is suitable. Likewise vinegar water or salt, which is sprinkled between the joints.
• Chemical agents should be avoided completely on a wooden terrace, otherwise the material can become stained.

Remove moss with gas

An effective method is scorching with an infrared heater or gas. With a kind of small flamethrower, the plants are burned down with the roots. For about. Such a device is available in hardware stores for around 30 euros. However, this requires a lot of patience. The warmth stimulates the germination of the seeds that are still present in the soil. For this reason, some treatments are required within a very short time. After that, however, the desired and also long-term success sets in.

With high pressure against moss

high pressure cleaner also work quite environmentally friendly. They are available with special attachments and splash guards, so that edges and corners can be reached when cleaning. Paths and terraces are practically cleaned at the same time. The terrace or balcony can be cleaned with minimal effort. If the weather is dry, the panels should be brushed beforehand. After high-pressure cleaning, it is advisable to refill the joints with sand. High-pressure cleaners are available from as little as 100 euros, depending on performance and scope of delivery.

moss on the roof

Moss does not only form in the garden, on the terrace or on the balcony, this unpleasant phenomenon can also be discovered on the roof. It tends to form in shady spots and can become a problem over time. Not only is the unsightly appearance disturbing, the moss infestation can impede the rainwater drainage, in the worst case the water penetrates under the roof. If the plaque is green, it is algae growth, which is not usually a problem and does not need to be removed. Lichens and mosses, on the other hand, form a cushion. To prevent them from being washed away and clogging the gutter, they should be removed.
To clean the roof surface you will need:

• high pressure cleaner
• special remedy
• Broom
• spatula
• pressure sprayer
• copper bands

If the roof is cleaned with a high-pressure cleaner, care must be taken not to damage the surface. In addition, it should only be sprayed from top to bottom, so that no cleaning water can get under the roof. The roof surface is roughened by the high pressure cleaning, a new coating is recommended. Otherwise there is a risk that the moss growth will start again much faster. Large moss pads must first be removed by hand with a spatula or swept away with a broom. Chemical agents for roof cleaning are applied with a pressure sprayer. Mosses, algae and lichens on the roof are killed by copper sulphate. It is ideal to attach copper strips along the roof ridge. Together with acid rain, it forms the sulphate and the roof is permanently coated with it. In general, it is sufficient to remove the thick moss cushions from time to time.

Conclusion

Whichever method is used to remove moss from balconies, terraces and roofs is up to you. Creating absolutely moss-free areas takes a lot of time and work, but it is not absolutely necessary. Roughly removing moss and algae is perfectly sufficient, the rest is a matter of opinion for each individual.

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